Nebraska 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Nebraska's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Nov 14-22, 2026.
Archery deer season runs Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026.
Duck season opens between October 3, 2026 and October 24, 2026 depending on zone; the last zone closes January 27, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Nebraska Game & Parks.
- firearm deer
- Nov 14-22, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
- duck
- opens Oct 3-24, 2026 by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Nebraska's seasons
Deer units and permit type shape the season
Nebraska issues deer permits by management unit, with a mix of over-the-counter and limited permits across archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons. The unit and permit you hold define your real opportunity.
Confirm unit boundaries, permit availability, and antlerless rules with the official Nebraska Game and Parks Commission source.
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Nebraska Game & Parks before hunting.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Nebraska
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 1 station in Nebraska. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
White-tailed Deer
Limited Landowner
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Antlerless Only Season Choice
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Special Landowner
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
November Firearm
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
River Antlerless Late Firearm
Zone: River
White-tailed Deer
Late Antlerless Only Firearm
Zone: Statewide
White-tailed Deer
October River Antlerless Firearm
Zone: River
Turkey
Wild Turkey
Fall Youth Archery and Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to one fall permit. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Fall Archery and Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to one fall permit. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Archery
Hunters may purchase up to two spring permits. A hunter may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Youth Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to two spring permits. A hunter may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Zone: Statewide
Wild Turkey
Spring Shotgun
Hunters may purchase up to two spring permits. A hunter may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Elk
Late Antlerless
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Early Antlerless
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Archery Bull
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Firearm Bull
Zone: Statewide
Waterfowl
28 listed rowsDark Goose
Regular
Zone: North Central unit
Dark Goose
Regular
Zone: Platte River unit
Dark Goose
Regular
Zone: Niobrara unit
Duck
Regular
Zone: Zone 2 High Plains
Duck
Regular
Zone: Zone 1
Duck
Regular
Zone: Zone 3 High Plains
Light Goose
Regular
Zone: Statewide
White-fronted Goose
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Duck
Regular
Zone: Zone 1
Duck
Regular
Zone: Zone 3 High Plains
Duck
Regular
Zone: Zone 2 High Plains
Light Goose
Regular
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DuckFalconry · Zone 3 High PlainsConcurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone. | dates not listed | Closed |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 2 High PlainsConcurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone. | dates not listed | Closed |
| DuckVeteran & Active-Duty Military · Zone 2 | Closed | |
| DuckYouth · Zone 2 | Closed | |
| DuckVeteran & Active-Duty Military · Zone 3 | Closed | |
| DuckVeteran & Active-Duty Military · Zone 1 | Closed | |
| DuckYouth · Zone 3 | Closed | |
| DuckYouth · Zone 1 | Closed | |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 2 Low PlainsConcurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus additional falconry dates. | Upcoming | |
| DuckFalconry · Zone 1Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus additional falconry dates. | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation Order · Rainwater Basin zoneFor special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide. | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation Order · East zoneFor special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide. | Upcoming | |
| Light GooseConservation Order · West zoneFor special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide. | Upcoming | |
| TealEarly Teal · Low Plains | Closed | |
| TealEarly Teal · High Plains | Closed | |
| White-fronted GooseRegular · Statewide | Upcoming |
Dove
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Not including mourning and white-winged doves.
Zone: Statewide
Mourning Dove
Regular
Includes mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves.
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
Regular
Also includes quail and partridge.
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge season.
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Quail
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Quail
Youth
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Prairie Grouse
Regular
Special permit required east of U.S. 81.
Zone: Statewide
Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Jackrabbit
Regular
Allowed west of U.S. 81 only.
Zone: Statewide
Squirrel
Squirrel
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
18 listed rowsBadger
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
Beaver
Trap Only
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Running; No Harvest
Zone: Statewide
Gray Fox
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
Long-tailed Weasel
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
Mink
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
Muskrat
Trap Only
Zone: Statewide
Raccoon
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
Red Fox
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
River Otter
Trap Only
Only one river otter may be harvested per season, per valid permit holder.
Zone: Statewide
Virginia Opossum
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
Bobcat
Hunt and Trap
Zone: Statewide
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| RaccoonRunning; No Harvest · Statewide | Closed | |
| RaccoonHunt Only · Statewide | Closed | |
| Red FoxRunning; No Harvest · Statewide | Closed | |
| Striped SkunkHunt and Trap · Statewide | dates not listed | Closed |
| Virginia OpossumRunning; No Harvest · Statewide | Closed | |
| Virginia OpossumHunt Only · Statewide | Closed |
Migratory Birds
Rail (Virginia and Sora)
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Snipe
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Woodcock
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn
Pronghorn Antelope
Archery
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn Antelope
November Late Doe/Fawn
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn Antelope
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
Pronghorn Antelope
Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Season 1
The season would end immediately in a unit if the annual harvest limit or female sublimit were reached.
Zone: All three units
Mountain Lion
Auxiliary Season
Held only if the harvest limit is not reached during Season 1; permits issued by lottery to unsuccessful Season 1 permit holders. Hunting with dogs allowed.
Zone: Niobrara Unit
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
Regular Lottery
Zone: Statewide
Coyote
Coyote
Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Residents do not need a permit. Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit. A Habitat Stamp is not required.
Zone: Statewide
Other
Crow
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Partridge
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Crow
Regular
Zone: Statewide
Partridge
Youth
Zone: Statewide
Porcupine
Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit.
Zone: Statewide
Prairie Dog
Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit.
Zone: Statewide
Woodchuck
Year-Round
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit.
Zone: Statewide
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Nebraska Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Nebraska?
Archery deer season runs Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026. Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-22, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Nebraska Game & Parks.
When is Nebraska's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Nov 14-22, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Nebraska Game & Parks before hunting.
Do I need a license to hunt in Nebraska?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Nebraska hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Nebraska Game & Parks.
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